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Birthdays were weird. Everyone expected you to be happy and excited to be turning a year older. Jimin couldn't help but mourn over his decaying youth. These were some of the best years of his life, and age and traditional familial expectations would put a dent in being an artist.
Maybe that was being a bit dramatic. Older idols were doing just fine in the business, but they definitely had to work harder, and price to their fan base they were capable of being in an idol group. Jimin admired all of them for their tenacity.
Still, he couldn't help feeling like there was a rain cloud over his head when he woke up. He had woken up to a bed empty of his members, which already had soured his mood. He loved waking up cuddled up in his members arms and stray limbs and exchanging soft kisses and whispers of congratulations for being a year older. Not having that definitely helped put a damper on his mood and helped make his rain cloud into a stormy, dark grey cloud.
After waking up, he couldn't help the suspicious feeling creeping up his spine. Something was off.
He tentatively walked into the common area, expecting to see his members all crowded on their couch like sardines in a can. The common area was empty, and quiet. His members weren't even in the dorm.
Jimin felt a pulse of anger now. He spent so much time spoiling all of his members on their birthdays and making them feel special and taken care of, and they couldn't even stay home to do the same?
“Jerks,” Jimin grumbled unhappily. He moved to the kitchen to make himself some coffee and a piece of toast. “See if they get any Christmas gifts this year,” he mumbled, huffing and puffing as he moved around the kitchen, unable to get rid of his irritation and slight anger.
“They couldn't have forgotten,” Jimin reasoned, “Moni hyung has too good of a memory, and Tae and Kookie love a reason to have a party and eat cake. They wouldn't pass up that kind of opportunity.”
He stirred a carefully scooped spoonful of sugar into his coffee, adding a dash of milk to sweeten it up a bit more. He jumped when the toaster finished toasting his bread. He spread some almond butter on it and sat at the table, eating small nibbles of his toast and drinking tiny sips of his coffee.
A knock on the door startled Jimin from his petty thoughts. He hesitated a second before standing up and hurrying to the door, opening it to see a flustered delivery boy, probably still in high school, and shocked to see an idol bare faced and in his sleep clothes still. The boy blushed, “Ah, hyung, these are for you.”
The boy thrust an arrangement of wild flowers into his hands, a note pinned on the pot. Jimin bowed his head a little to the teenager, “Thank you.”
He closed the door and opened up the small card, the paper thick and expensive. The writing was stamped with silver ink.
Happy birthday Jiminnie! I'm sorry I can't be there to celebrate with you, but know that I'm wishing for you to have a great day! Here's to another successful and prosperous year for you and Bangtan! Love, Taemin
Jimin smiled, the first time today, happy to see the thoughtful note attached to the strange and colorful flowers. He walked back to the kitchen and ran a bit of water over the dried soil and placed the plant next to a window to soak up some sunlight. His hyung was so thoughtful.
Unlike his stupid group members. A wave of irritation overshadowed his few minutes of happiness. “Where are they? Those idiots,” Jimin grumbled, “those ungrateful, spoiled idiots.”
His phone ringing in The bedroom distracted him from continuing cursing his members. He hurriedly ran to the bedroom and found his phone still connected to the charger cord. The contact revealed it was his leader. He frowned, answering the call and putting it to his ear, “Yes.”
He could hear his leaders gentle laugh, “Good morning Jiminnie. Happy birthday, baby,” Namjoon says. His voice soft and dripping in affection.
“I'm mad at you. All of you. Don't be cute,” Jimin says, his lips forming a pout.
“There's a reason you didn't get your morning snuggles, I promise. Are you dressed? I need you to meet us somewhere,” Namjoon asks.
Jimin frowns, “I need to get dressed, and do something with my hair and face before going out.”
“Okay, get ready. Manager hyung is on his way to pick you up. He'll be there soon,” Namjoon says, “I'll see you soon.”
Jimin ended the call, still frustrated, but not as upset as he was earlier. At least one member didn't forget to give him birthday wishes. The others were still on his bad list.
He finished getting ready within a half hour. He didn't know what he was supposed to wear so he went with cool and simple, while still being comfortable. A pair of dark wash skinny jeans, with a fitted black T-shirt and a leather jacket with his favorite boots.
His phone rang, alerting him that his manager was calling.
“Hyung?” Jimin answered.
“Jimin! I'm here, come on down.”
Jimin hung up and grabbed his phone, wallet, and keys. He left the dorm and locked up behind him. It only took him a few minutes to get downstairs and in the car idling in front of his building.
“Happy birthday!” Sejin smiled at him. He passed him a thick envelope, “this is from the staff and I!”
Jimin smiled and opened it, revealing a card signed by all of the staff, and a generous amount of money in it.
“Thank you hyung!” Jimin smiled.
“You're welcome, okay, buckle up and we'll head out.”
“Where are we going?” Jimin asked curiously.
“I was sworn to secrecy, sorry kiddo.”
Jimin frowned, but looked out the window. All of his other idol friends had been messaging him and sending him birthday wishes. He smiled at each one, thanking each of them. He had good friends. His members especially owed him an explanation for leaving him alone!
It was just under an hour when the car stopped. Jimin looked up to see what looked like to be an abandoned building in the middle of nowhere.
“Hyung...are we supposed to be here?” Jimin asked.
“Yep, come on,” his manager said, his voice way too happy.
He followed his manager through the door, entering a darkened, industrial built hallway. It was a maze getting to the point where his manager stopped and opened the door for him. Jimin crossed the entry way, before lights turned on and a very loud, “Surprise!” startled him.
In front of him were his family members, closest friends, and of course, his six members.
Fairy lights were strong around the area, the walls painted in vivid, bright colors. Presents, balloons, and food were scattered over long tables. Streamers were hung with precision on walls and other small paper decorations. He could see speakers and space made for dancing. Vacant tables surrounded the area for those who didn't want to dance.
Jimin couldn't help but feel teary eyed. His members crowded him, wrapping him up in a group hug, “Aigoo, why are you crying?” Hoseok asked, chuckling.
“I thought you guys had forgotten...or made other plans,” Jimin tearfully admitted.
Yoongi chuckled, “Not in a million years, kid.”
“I told you I had a good reason for no morning snuggles,” Namjoon said softly.
Jimin chuckled, still a bit choked up, “I guess you're all forgiven.”
“Hyung, we managed to get all of your friends here, too,” Jungkook said, beaming.
“You're a good maknae, thank you Kookie,” Jimin smiles, affectionately patting his cheek.
“Okay boys, let him go visit his family. His parents look anxious,” Jin says.
The boys pull away from him, and allow his family members to crowd him and coo over him.
Someone had turned on the music while Jimin was making it to each family member and friend thanking them for coming.
When he was finally back with his members, he was once again hugged and kissed by each one.
“Do you want to dance?” Hoseok asks, holding his hand out to him.
“Sure hyung,” Jimin says, taking his hyungs hand and let's the older lead him to the dance floor.
Loud, upbeat music was playing through the speakers, and the two dancers easily fell into the rhythm of the beat and moving easily.
Jimin was surrounded by his members when he blew his candles out and opened the plethora of presents gifted to him. People tricked out as it got later, and soon it was just him and his six members. Their manager headed out to make sure everyone left safely.
“Sorry you were alone earlier, Jimin,” Jin said.
They were all sitting at the round table, a drink in hand and all radiating happiness.
“It's okay, I forgive you. Although, I was pretty pissed and did curse you guys a little bit this morning,” Jimin admits.
They all laugh.
“We have one more gift for you,” Namjoon says, “Wanna get it Kookie?”
Jungkook nods and obediently stands up to go and get the present. He returns with a small bag and hands it to Jimin.
“This is a group gift,” Namjoon says, “go ahead and open it.”
Jimin looks at his members looking away or at their laps, a blush coloring some of the cheeks and especially shy expressions. Excluding Namjoon, who was watching him with a content expression.
Jimin pulled out the pastel colored tissue paper and looked inside to see a jewelry box, a small square one. He grabbed the box and set the bag on the table, carefully opening it, hearing the hinges whine at the slow opening.
His heart was instantly in his throat as he saw the beautiful white gold chain with a simple engraving on the front. A ‘23’ was stamped into the pendant.
“Look on the back,” Namjoon says quietly.
Jimin flips the pendant around, and sees smaller engravings. The initials of his group members pressed into the pendant.
“You guys,” Jimin whispers. He knew that this necklace would have to.be expensive, especially with his sensitive skin. “This is beautiful.”
“We know you don't like getting older, but I hope you'll continue to be excited to be with us and to be in Bangtan, and that you know we love you,” Namjoon says softly.
“I love you all, too,” Jimin says softly. He turns to Yoongi, who's sitting on his left, “Hyung, help me with this,” he asks, handing him the box.
Yoongi smiles and takes the box, gently unravelling the chain from the insert in the box, and nimbly clasped the chain to rest on Jimins neck. The pendant fell in between his pectoral muscles, and is easily hidden if need be.
Namjoon stood up, breaking the shy silence, “Let's go home.”
The boys piled into the car, Yoongi claiming the prized front seat. Jimin was in the back row in between Namjoon and Jin. The others in the second row, with the maknae in the middle.
Jimin rested his head on Namjoons arm, and held his hyungs hand on each side of him.
When they arrived back so the dorm, the maknae line were fast asleep. Yoongi easily lifted Taehyung onto his back, Jin took Jungkook, and Namjoon had Jimin. Hoseok was in charge of opening doors to let them through.
When they all entered their dorm, they all heard into Yoongi and Jins room, as they had the biggest beds. The older members woke up the maknaes and told them to change, as they did the same. It was mostly quiet, except for a few yawns and mumbled apologies if they bumped into one another.
Once they were all ready for bed, Jimin claimed the middle spot and asked for Namjoon and Yoongi too lay beside him. The others organized themselves around the rappers, and settled down.
“Good night, happy birthday Jiminnie,” Hoseok says sleepily.
“Love you guys,” Jimin sighs, curling into Namjoons side as Yoongi presses against Jimin back.
He might not have gotten his snuggles this morning, but he sure was content ending the day with them.